Funerals

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْنَ، وَالصَّلَاۃُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَی النَّبِیِّ الْکَرِیْمِ وَعَلٰی اٰلِہٖ وَصَحْبِہٖ اَجْمَعِیْنَ۔

The Method of Giving Ghusl (Bath), Shrouding, and Funeral Preparations for the Deceased In the Light of the Prophetic Hadith ﷺ

1. Method of Giving Ghusl (Ritual Washing) to the Deceased

A) Islamic Rulings:

  1. Obligation:
    Giving Ghusl (ritual washing) to the deceased is a Fard Kifayah (a communal obligation—if some people perform it, the obligation is lifted from others).

    • Hadith:
      «غَسِّلُوْہُ بِمَاءٍ وَسِدْرٍ»
      (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1253)
      “Give him Ghusl with water and lote (sidr) leaves.”

  2. Method:

    • Place the deceased on an elevated surface while maintaining their modesty.

    • Cover them from the navel to the knees with a cloth.

    • Perform Wudu (ablution): wash the face, hands, wipe the head, and wash the feet.

    • Use sidr (lote leaves) or soap-mixed water for washing.

    • Purification process: Start with the left side, then the right, washing three or five times.

    • Use camphor-mixed water for the final wash.

    • Pour pure water once more after completing the wash.

    • Hadith:
      «اِغْسِلْنَہَا ثَلَاثًا أَوْ خَمْسًا أَوْ أَکْثَرَ بِسِدْرٍ»
      (Sahih Muslim: 939)
      “Wash her three, five, or more times using sidr (lote leaves).”

2. Method of Shrouding (Kafan) the Deceased

A) Conditions of Kafan:

  1. For men: Three pieces of cloth:
    • Lifafah (a large sheet), Izar (a lower garment), and Qamis (a long shirt).
  2. For women: Five pieces of cloth:
    • Lifafah, Izar, Qamis, Khimar (head covering), and Chest covering.

B) Sunnah Practices of Kafan:

  • The shroud should be plain and white, without embroidery or expensive fabric.
  • Hadith:
    «البَسُوْا مِنْ ثِیَابِکُمُ الْبَیَاضَ، فَإِنَّہَا مِنْ خَیْرِ ثِیَابِکُمْ، وَکَفِّنُوْا فِیْہَا مَوْتَاکُمْ»
    (Sunan Abi Dawood: 3878)
    “Wear white clothing, as it is the best of your garments, and shroud your dead in it.”

3. Virtues of Preparing and Burying the Deceased

  • Reward for Attending the Funeral:

    • Hadith:
      «مَنْ شَیَّعَ جَنَازَۃً حَتَّی یُصَلِّیَ عَلَیْہَا فَلَہُ قِیرَاطٌ، وَمَنْ شَیَّعَہَا حَتَّی تُدْفَنَ فَلَہُ قِیرَاطَانِ»
      (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1325)
      “Whoever follows a funeral procession until the prayer is offered will get one Qirat of reward, and whoever stays until the burial will receive two Qirats.”

  • Importance of Praying for the Deceased:

    • Hadith:
      «إِذَا صَلَّیْتُمْ عَلَی الْمَیِّتِ فَأَخْلِصُوا لَہُ الدُّعَاءَ»
      (Sunan Abi Dawood: 3199)
      “When you pray over the deceased, supplicate sincerely for them.”

  • Dua for the Forgiveness of the Deceased:
    The following supplication is recited in the funeral prayer:
    «اللّٰہُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَہُ وَارْحَمْہُ، وَعَافِہِ وَاعْفُ عَنْہُ»
    (Sahih Muslim: 963)

4. Hadiths on the Importance of Ghusl and Kafan

    • Reward for Serving the Deceased:

      • Hadith:
        «مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَیِّتًا فَکَتَمَ عَلَیْہِ، غَفَرَ اللّٰہُ لَہُ أَرْبَعِیْنَ مَرَّۃً»
        (Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir: 1467)
        “Whoever gives Ghusl to a deceased person and conceals their flaws, Allah will forgive them forty times.”

    • Reward for Providing Kafan:

      • Hadith:
        «مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ یُکَفِّنُ مُسْلِمًا إِلَّا کَانَ لَہُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ کَأَجْرِ صَدَقَۃٍ»
        (Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 994)
        “Whoever shrouds a Muslim will receive a reward equal to that of charity.”

Summary Guidelines

  • Perform Ghusl gently, following the Sunnah.
  • Avoid extravagance in the Kafan.
  • Consider attending the funeral prayer as an act of worship.
  • Pray for the deceased and seek forgiveness for them.

May Allah grant us the ability to follow the Sunnah in the preparation and burial of the deceased. Ameen!
(References: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abi Dawood, Sunan al-Tirmidhi)

Frequently asked questions

Istiqbal's dedication to community service is a testament to its commitment to embodying the principles of Islam. The center actively engages in charitable initiatives, outreach programs, and community events that have a positive impact on both its members and the wider community

Istiqbal's dedication to community service is a testament to its commitment to embodying the principles of Islam. The center actively engages in charitable initiatives, outreach programs, and community events that have a positive impact on both its members and the wider community

Istiqbal's dedication to community service is a testament to its commitment to embodying the principles of Islam. The center actively engages in charitable initiatives, outreach programs, and community events that have a positive impact on both its members and the wider community

Istiqbal's dedication to community service is a testament to its commitment to embodying the principles of Islam. The center actively engages in charitable initiatives, outreach programs, and community events that have a positive impact on both its members and the wider community